Giants lose AFL ruckman Phillips

The injury-ravaged GWS Giants are facing one of their biggest-ever AFL challenges with the scales of experience tilting massively in North Melbourne’s favour on Saturday.

The rash of injuries which started with a large toll in last week’s loss to Collingwood continued on Friday with recalled ruckman Andrew Phillips withdrawing with a sore back.

Phillips, who had been earmarked to replace Shane Mumford, pulled out of the Spotless Stadium fixture after training.

With 11 matches under his belt, Phillips was almost a veteran compared to third-choice ruckman Rory Lobb, who in just his third senior game will oppose the competition’s form big man in Todd Goldstein.

Forward James Stewart, who had been pinch-hitting in the ruck behind Mumford, will act as back-up to Lobb, after originally being omitted.